NPR 2008-03-31

From NPR News in Washington, I'm Craig Windham.

Iraq's government is applauding the call by militant 1 Shiite cleric Moktada al-Sadr for his militia 2 to stop its attacks on Iraqi forces after nearly a week of escalating 3 fighting in Basra and parts of Baghdad. But there have been more clashes since that move was announced. As NPR's Dina Temple-Raston reports from Baghdad.

In his statement, Sadr called on his Mehdi Army to stop fighting and said anyone who defies the order to lay down their weapons will no longer be considered a member of the Mehdi Army militia. It's unclear why Sadr issued the statement now, or whether this is just the early stirrings of some face-saving measures so both his Shiite militia and the government of Iraq can walk away from six days of fighting without losing ground. A top Sadr leader told NPR that Sadr will support the Iraqi government, if it detains or kills those who disobey the call to stop fighting. In his statement, Sadr said he wanted the government to stop attacking his supporters and give Sadrs a general amnesty. It is not clear whether this is a quid pro 4 quo to end the fighting, or just a request. Diana Temple-Raston, NPR news, Baghdad.

Israel says it will ease some restrictions 5 on Palestinians in the West Bank including the removal of about 50 roadblocks there. Mark Regev is a spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

"Israel is committed to taking tangible 6 steps to enable greater movement and access for Palestinians. Of course this goal must be balanced with the equally important goal of protecting our people."

The Israeli move came in response to calls by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice who urged both sides to take steps to bolster 7 the peace process. Palestinian officials have pledged to step up efforts to halt attacks against Israelis.

In the latest phase of the complicated process used by Democrats 8 in Texas to choose convention delegates, county and senate district caucuses 9 were held and Barack Obama appears to be cruising to victory over Hillary Clinton. NPR's Wade 10 Goodwyn reports.

"Obama won big in Houston, Dallas and Austin, while Clinton had her largest margins 12 in El Paso, San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley. If Obama's margin 11 holds up in the high 50s or low 60s as expected, Obama will end up carrying Texas by 3-5 delegates. The conventions across the state saw huge Democratic turnouts, chaos 13 and even threats of legal action mostly by Clinton's supporters. Clinton won the primary vote last month by 3 percentage points, but the two-step process called the "Texas Two-Step" ultimately favored Obama's impassioned supporters and organizational strength. Wade Goodwyn, NPR News."

Tensions are running high in Zimbabwe where riot police have been deployed 14 and no official results have been released from yesterday's presidential election. Opposition 15 leaders say their candidate has defeated long-time incumbent 16 Robert Mugabe by a landslide 17. But there's concern now that Mugabe may be trying to tamper 18 with the results. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice today called Mugabe a disgrace to the people of Zimbabwe.

This is NPR News from Washington.

CIA Director Michael Hayden says the border region between Pakistan and Afghanistan presents, what he calls, a clear and present danger to the west. Hayden warned that Al-Qaeda is entrenched 19 there and has set up training programs for terrorists.

"They are bringing operatives into that region for training, operatives that, a phrase I would use, Tim, wouldn't attract your attention if they were going through the customs line at Dulles (airport outside Washington) with you when you are coming back from overseas."

Hayden was interviewed on NBC’s Meet the Press.

In the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, the final spot in the final four is up for grabs and Kansas leads upstart Davidson 59 to 53 with one minute remaining. Earlier, Memphis routed Texas 85 to 67.

I’m Craig Windham. NPR News, in Washington.